Parashah Roundup: Vayikra 5769

by Steve Brizel

A Calling From Affection

R. Berel Wein and R. Shlomo Riskin remind us that God's call to Moshe from the inner recesses of the Mishkan was a personal call for Moshe to transmit a message that would underscore the fact that the Torah was no longer in heaven and that his job would be to teach Torah in a world that was not familiar or even seemingly inhospitable to its teachings: link 1, link 2

R. Yissocher Frand tells us why Moshe's career continued as the leader of Klal Yisrael despite all of his past efforts and successes: link

R. Avraham Gordimer discusses the unique nature of Moshe's leadership and the fact that every Jew has the potential to emulate this relationship and develop into a Torah personality: link

Click here to read moreThe Leader With The Small Alef

R. Herschel Shachter urges us to emulate the humility of Moshe in finding leaders with the capacity to say “I don't know” and in recognizing that someone who is humble in spirit stands a better chance in clarifying the truth of the Torah: link

R. Aryeh Lebowitz reminds us that humility is one of the keys to success in Chinuch: link (audio)

The Structure of Sefer Vayikra

R. Mordechai Sabato and R. Dovid Horwitz analyze the structure of Sefer Vayikra: link 1, link 2

R. Yitchak Etshalom surveys the differences in the means of the presentation of Karbanos between Parshiyos Vayika and Tzav: link

R. Yaakov Haber (formerly of RIETS) explains how Karbanos serve to elevate the physical world: link

The Olah and the Shelamim

R. Asher Brander suggests why only a Jew could bring a Shelamim: link

The Olah and the Mincha

R. Yonatan Grossman, based upon the Abarvanel, asks why the Mincha follows the Olah before the Shlamim: link

Chametz, Honey and the Mincha

R. Yitzchak Adlerstein, based upon the Nesivos Shalom, explains why Chametz and Honey are antithetical to a Mincha: link

Giving With a Full Heart

R. Ephraim Buchwald uses the Karban Mincha to show that Judaism is not reserved for the wealthy, but for those with a full heart: link

R. Baruch Simon explores the relationship between performing an act out of one's free will and coercion as it relates to all mitzvos: link (audio)

The Sin Offering of the Leader

R. Jonathan Sacks emphasizes that the Jewish approach to leadership is based upon an unusual combination of realism and idealism, as well as honesty to admit one's mistakes: link

Special Section-Coping With the Economic Crisis

R. Herschel Schachter discusses current challenges of the family and community in crisis and the tuition crisis: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)

R. Yaakov Neuburger discusses the halachic and hashkafic issues involved in yeshiva tuition: link (audio)

Shloshim Yom Kodem HaChag Department

R. Dovid Miller discusses maintaining Shalom Bayis during the days leading to Pesach: link (audio)

R. Daniel Z. Feldman discusses the Mitzvah of Tashbisu: link (audio)

R. Yonasan Sacks discusses a Machlokes Rashi and Tosfos with regards to Bitul, Bedikah and Tashbisu: link (audio)

R. Josh Flug discusses the halachos of Bdikas Chametz: link (audio)

R. Mordechai Willig discusses the background and halachic issues involved in Mechiras Chametz: link (audio)

R. Baruch Simon discusses the prohibition of eating Chametz on Erev Pesach: link (audio)

R. Shmuel Maybruch explores some of the lesser known Halachos of the Seder: link (audio)

R. Josh Flug discusses the halachos of Hasebah: link (audio)

R. Baruch Simon, based on a famous question of the Maharatz Chayos, discusses why R Eliezer was in Bnei Brak on the night of the Seder: link (audio)

Hilchos Yom Tov

R. Hershel Schachter discusses various halachos of Yom Tov: link (audio)

R. Josh Flug analyzes the various Halachic views regarding Yom Tov Sheni: link (audio)

Last year's roundup: link